Head of Reserving

AXA UK; Low Bolton, London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

AXA UK seeks a Head of Reserving to lead a team and deliver top-tier actuarial services. The role requires expertise in actuarial models, strong leadership abilities, and a comprehensive understanding of the UK insurance market. Join a reputable firm that promotes a flexible working environment, empowering employees to achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Benefits

Annual performance-based bonus

Contributory pension scheme up to 12% employer contributions

Cash car allowance £6,700

Life Assurance up to 10x annual salary

Private health cover

28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Opportunity to buy/sell extra days leave

Qualifications

• Experience in a similar role within the insurance sector.
• Outstanding relationship management and influencing skills.
• Practical experience with actuarial models for pricing and reserving.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to deliver integrated actuarial service.
• Provide advice on technical reserves and profitability.
• Manage relationships with underwriting and claims colleagues.

Skills

Leadership

Relationship Management

Actuarial Models

Business Acumen

Education

Qualified Actuary or Financial/Statistical degree

Job description

Description

Are you an experienced leader, with comprehensive knowledge and practical experience of applying actuarial models for pricing, reserving and capital modelling? We’re looking for a Head of Reserving to join AXA UK.

You’ll lead a team to deliver a first class, cost effective, integrated actuarial service. You’ll manage reserve risk, supporting AXA UK’s capital mode. You’ll provide challenge to pricing across AXA UK companies, allowing appropriate balance sheet protection and optimised business performance.

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least 40% of your week away from home, moving to the majority of your working week from September 2025. Away from home means either attendance at one of our office locations, visiting clients or attending industry events.

We’re also happy to consider flexible working arrangements, which you can discuss with Talent Acquisition.

What you’ll be doing:

• Partner with AXA UK companies, offering functional expertise whilst being driven by business need and providing the appropriate tension.
• Manage relationships with colleagues in underwriting, claims, actuarial, auditors, NEDs (non-executive directors) and risk management.
• Provide independent advice to AXA UK Board Committee and executives on the adequate level of technical reserves and levels of profitability. Lead your team to manage, control and monitor prior year and current year technical reserves.
• Review actuarial projections submitted by Actuarial Reserving teams and exercise actuarial judgement, taking into account developments across AXA and the UK insurance sector.
• Ensure consistency of reserving framework across AXA UK.
• Set a clear actuarial framework to support business planning, forecasting and trading decisions, including development of the corresponding tools and processes to informed underwriting and pricing decisions.
• Offer input to the capital and modelling team to monitor AXA UK’s capital position. Provide inputs to the Solvency II reporting, and calibrate reserve risk volatility, atypical risk volatility factors and protect AXA UK from reserve risks.
• Actively contribute to the strategy and direction of AXA UK, based on the understanding of current business performance, market and economic conditions.

Due to the number of applications we expect to receive for this role, we reserve the right to close this advert earlier than the listed closing date to ensure we’re able to effectively manage interest. Therefore, if you’re interested in joining us at AXA, please don’t hesitate to apply.

What you’ll bring:

• Previous experience in a similar role, within insurance sector – essential.
• Proven leadership ability – essential.
• Outstanding relationship management and influencing skills – essential.
• Comprehensive knowledge and practical experience of applying actuarial models for pricing, reserving and capital modelling – essential.
• Detailed knowledge of the UK general and health insurance market – essential.
• Qualified Actuary or Financial or Statistical degree with equivalent experience – essential.
• Business acumen.

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

This position has been defined as an Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD) role under the IDD regime which means that in addition to pre-employment screening checks, the successful candidate will be subject to background screening every 4 years with an annual declaration in interim years.

Please be aware that this position is a Certified Function role under the SM&CR regime, which means the successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced level of background screening requirements.

What we offer:

At AXA UK, we’re appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive:

• Competitive annual salary dependent on experience
• Annual company & performance-based bonus
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions)
• Cash car allowance £6,700
• Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary)
• Private health cover
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave
• Wellbeing services & resources
• AXA employee discounts

To apply, click on the ‘apply for this job’ button, you’ll then need to log in or create a profile to submit your CV. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don’t discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long-term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we’re proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. For our support, please send an email to [e-mail].

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Who we are:

AXA UK Support Functions power AXA’s three customer-facing business units, providing the infrastructure, support and expertise to ensure our customers can always count on us. Whether you’ve got heaps of experience and qualifications behind you, or you’re just starting out, we’ll give you the support and opportunities to help you grow and develop with confidence.